Habitat niche breadth predicts invasiveness in solitary ascidians.

ABSTRACT: A major focus of invasion biology is understanding the traits associated with introduction success. Most studies assess these traits in the invaded region, while only few compare nonindigenous species to the pool of potential invaders in their native region. We focused on the niche breadth hypothesis, commonly evoked but seldom tested, which states that generalist species are more likely to become introduced as they are capable of thriving under a wide set of conditions. Based on the massive introduction of tropical species into the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal (Lessepsian migration), we defined ascidians in the Red Sea as the pool of potential invaders. We constructed unique settlement plates, each representing six different niches, to assess ascidian niche breadth, and deploye

SUBMITTER: Granot I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5632622 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature